NURSING 3500 EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS (GRADED A+)
Which of the following is a clinical manifestation of hypokalemia?
a) Oliguria
b) irritability
c) soft flabby muscles
d) Abdominal cramping - ANSWER-c) Soft flabby muscles
Following bowel surgery, a patient has been receiving normal saline intravenous (IV)
fluids at 100 mL per hour; has a nasogastric tube attached to low, intermittent suction;
and is on nothing by mouth (NPO) status. Which of the following assessment findings
would alert the nurse to a major fluid and electrolyte problem?
a. Flushed, moist skin
b. A decreasing level of consciousness (LOC)
c. A serum sodium level of 138 mmol/L
d. Weight gain - ANSWER-b) decreasing level of conciousness
What is the most reliable index of volume status when caring for a patient with a fluid
imbalance?
a. Skin turgor
b. Daily weight patterns
c. Hourly urinary output
d. Presence of edema - ANSWER-b) daily weight patterns
When monitoring the fluid and electrolyte status of the older adult, what does the nurse
recognize that impairment of the thirst mechanism may lead to?
a. Decreased production of ADH
b. Cellular edema
c. Hyperosmolality
d. Isotonic fluid deficit - ANSWER-
A patient is taking hydrochlorothiazide, a potassium-wasting diuretic, for treatment of
hypertension. What symptoms should the nurse teach the patient to report?
a. Fatigue and muscle weakness
b. Anxiety and muscle twitching
c. Abdominal cramping and diarrhea
d. Confusion and personality changes - ANSWER-a) fatigue and muscle weakness
, What is the best area to assess for skin turgor in the older adult?
a. Sternum
b. Forearm
c. Thigh
d. Upper arm - ANSWER-a) sternum
IV potassium chloride is ordered for treatment of a patient with hypokalemia. What
should the nurse be aware of when administering the potassium solution?
Selected Answer:
a) To prevent cardiac dysrhythmias and arrest, the maximum amount of KCl to be
administered in 1 hour is 20 mEq.
b. To prevent hyperkalemia, the amount of KCl added to IV fluids should never exceed
80 mmol/L.
c. KCl should be administered as rapidly as necessary to correct hypokalemia.
d. KCl should be given only through central lines to prevent venospasm and
inflammation at the site of entry. - ANSWER-a) to prevent cardiac dysrhythmias and
arrest, the maximum amount of KCL to be administered is 20 mEq
To prevent laryngeal spasms and respiratory arrest in a patient who is at risk for
hypocalcemia, the nurse should assess the patient for which early sign of
hypocalcemia?
Selected Answer:
a. Tetany
b. Numbness and tingling around the lips or in the fingers
c. Confusion
d. Constipation - ANSWER-b) numbness and tingling
A patient who has required prolonged mechanical ventilation has the following arterial
blood gas results: pH 7.48, PO2 85 mm Hg, PCO2 32 mm Hg, and HCO3- 25 mmol/L.
How would the nurse interpret these results?
Answers:
a. Metabolic acidosis
b. Respiratory acidosis
c. Respiratory alkalosis
d. Metabolic alkalosis - ANSWER-c) respiratory acidosis
Water accounts for approximately which percentage of total adult body weight?
a. 60%
b. 50%
c. 30%
d. 40% - ANSWER-a) 60%
ANSWERS (GRADED A+)
Which of the following is a clinical manifestation of hypokalemia?
a) Oliguria
b) irritability
c) soft flabby muscles
d) Abdominal cramping - ANSWER-c) Soft flabby muscles
Following bowel surgery, a patient has been receiving normal saline intravenous (IV)
fluids at 100 mL per hour; has a nasogastric tube attached to low, intermittent suction;
and is on nothing by mouth (NPO) status. Which of the following assessment findings
would alert the nurse to a major fluid and electrolyte problem?
a. Flushed, moist skin
b. A decreasing level of consciousness (LOC)
c. A serum sodium level of 138 mmol/L
d. Weight gain - ANSWER-b) decreasing level of conciousness
What is the most reliable index of volume status when caring for a patient with a fluid
imbalance?
a. Skin turgor
b. Daily weight patterns
c. Hourly urinary output
d. Presence of edema - ANSWER-b) daily weight patterns
When monitoring the fluid and electrolyte status of the older adult, what does the nurse
recognize that impairment of the thirst mechanism may lead to?
a. Decreased production of ADH
b. Cellular edema
c. Hyperosmolality
d. Isotonic fluid deficit - ANSWER-
A patient is taking hydrochlorothiazide, a potassium-wasting diuretic, for treatment of
hypertension. What symptoms should the nurse teach the patient to report?
a. Fatigue and muscle weakness
b. Anxiety and muscle twitching
c. Abdominal cramping and diarrhea
d. Confusion and personality changes - ANSWER-a) fatigue and muscle weakness
, What is the best area to assess for skin turgor in the older adult?
a. Sternum
b. Forearm
c. Thigh
d. Upper arm - ANSWER-a) sternum
IV potassium chloride is ordered for treatment of a patient with hypokalemia. What
should the nurse be aware of when administering the potassium solution?
Selected Answer:
a) To prevent cardiac dysrhythmias and arrest, the maximum amount of KCl to be
administered in 1 hour is 20 mEq.
b. To prevent hyperkalemia, the amount of KCl added to IV fluids should never exceed
80 mmol/L.
c. KCl should be administered as rapidly as necessary to correct hypokalemia.
d. KCl should be given only through central lines to prevent venospasm and
inflammation at the site of entry. - ANSWER-a) to prevent cardiac dysrhythmias and
arrest, the maximum amount of KCL to be administered is 20 mEq
To prevent laryngeal spasms and respiratory arrest in a patient who is at risk for
hypocalcemia, the nurse should assess the patient for which early sign of
hypocalcemia?
Selected Answer:
a. Tetany
b. Numbness and tingling around the lips or in the fingers
c. Confusion
d. Constipation - ANSWER-b) numbness and tingling
A patient who has required prolonged mechanical ventilation has the following arterial
blood gas results: pH 7.48, PO2 85 mm Hg, PCO2 32 mm Hg, and HCO3- 25 mmol/L.
How would the nurse interpret these results?
Answers:
a. Metabolic acidosis
b. Respiratory acidosis
c. Respiratory alkalosis
d. Metabolic alkalosis - ANSWER-c) respiratory acidosis
Water accounts for approximately which percentage of total adult body weight?
a. 60%
b. 50%
c. 30%
d. 40% - ANSWER-a) 60%
